In addition to working out Jared Sullinger in late August, the Nets recently brought in free agent center Tyler Zeller for an audition, according to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders (Twitter link).
It’s the first update we’ve heard in more than two months on Zeller, who was waived by the Celtics shortly after the free agent period began in July. The 27-year-old center had a non-guaranteed $8MM salary for 2017/18 that needed to be cleared from Boston’s books in order for the C’s to maximize their cap room, which they ultimately used to sign Gordon Hayward.
While there’s no indication that Zeller is on the verge of joining the Nets, Brooklyn remains on the lookout for frontcourt help. So far this offseason, the Nets have traded away Brook Lopez, Andrew Nicholson, and Justin Hamilton in various deals, adding Timofey Mozgov and Jarrett Allen to help fortify the rotation up front.
Zeller, the 17th overall pick in the 2012 draft, spent the last three seasons in Boston, but played a career-low 10.3 minutes per game in 2016/17. In 340 career games with the Cavs and Celtics, the UNC product has averaged 7.0 PPG and 4.4 RPG. Given his reduced role last season, those averages dipped to 3.5 PPG and 2.4 RPG, though his per-minute numbers weren’t far off his career rates.
Who’s a better player that’s available for the Nets at that position .
TZeller’s career #s would be better except for that 2033 minutes played in his worst (rookie) year with Cleveland. It was ridiculous; he was not ready for that but got it anyway. And now set aside in his prime.